Wagon-brake



(No Model.)

W. PLATTO.

WAGoN BRAKE.

Patented Dec. 2,1890.

m: norms News co., Pgcrmurna., wnsymmpn. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM PLATTO, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NE'W YORK.

WAGON-BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 441,774, dated December 2,1 89 O.

Application filed March 19 1890. Serial No. 344.1540. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM PLATro, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in wagon-brakes g and it consists in certain novel features of the operating mechanism, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a wagon-body, showing my improved brake in position thereon. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the front end of the wagonbody, showing the mechanism for applying the brake; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section.

Referring to the drawings by letter,A designates the wagon-body, which may be of any desired size or construction, and has the brake- '\.levers B B fulcrumed on its under side, as

shown. These brake-levers are provided at their inner ends -with the adjustable arms C C, so that they may be readily adapted to the width of the wagon-body, and said arms O C are constructed with eyes D at their extremities.

E E designate two longitudinally-disposed parallel rods, which have their front ends secured to a reciprocatingyoke F and their rear ends fitted in the eyes D at the ends of the arms C. The yoke F is mounted between two plates G G,secured to the bottom of the wagon-body, and it is provided on its inner opposing sides with vthe racks Il, as clearly shown.

Intermeshing cog-wheels I I are journaled in the platesG G between the sides of the yoke and mesh with the racks H, so that when the cog-wheels are rotated the yoke will be caused to slide forward or backward.

The journal or axle of one of the cogwheels is extended above the upper plate and is made angular, so as to be readily engaged by the angular socket J in the lower end of the shaft K, which is mounted vertically on the front end of the wagon-body. This shaft K is journaled in the brackets or bearings L, secured in the dash-board of the vehicle, and is provided with a pinion M near its upper end. This pinion M meshes with a crown-wheel N, which is mounted on a stand-y ard or supporting-plate O, and is provided with a handle or lever P, secured rigidly to its rear side and projecting upward to a point where it will be in convenient reach of the driver. A curved plate or ratchet-bar Q is arranged above the wheel N and concentric therewith, and is engaged by a pawl R, pivoted on the lever or handle P, so as to hold the device in any position to which it may be adjusted. If so desired, the lever or handle may be made to project horizontally to one side, as indicated at S, in order that the device Inay be operated by the foot instead of by hand.

T designates a spring, which is secured to the bottom of the wagon-body and to the front end of the yoke, so as to draw the same normally rearward and thereby remove the brake-shoes from the wheels.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accom panying drawings. The spring normally draws the yoke backward, so as to throw the outer ends of the brake-levers forward, and thereby keep the brake-shoes from the wheels. When it is desired to apply the brake, the pawl is released from the ratchet-bar by the pressure of the foot, and the lever or handle is then moved to one side, so as to rotate the crown-wheel and thereby impart motion to the vertical shaft. The intermeshing cogwheels will thus be caused to act on the racks `and slide the yoke forward, consequently applying the brake-shoes to the wheels. The pressure on the pawl is then released and the shoes will be held against the wheels. Upon disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-bar the spring automatically releases the shoes from the wheels.

It will be observed that my device is composed of few parts, which are eompactly arranged and are thoroughly protected against injury. The device operates positively and easily, and its advantages are thought to be obvious.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of brake-levers havlOO orown-wheei,and the pziwi pivoted on the 1ever and engaging the ratchet-bar, as set forth.

3. The combination of the brake-levers, the yoke having rack-teeth on its inner opposing sides, connections between the yoke and the brakelevers, i intermeshing cogwheeis arranged Within the yoke and meshing with the racks thereon, and means for rotatin g said oog-wheels, as set forth.

WILLIAM PLATTO.

VVitnessee:V

JOHN W. MCCORNAC, WILLIAM L. DELACEY. 

